8010. Bloodborne Pathogens Implementation Practices and Procedures

  1. Non-Discrimination
    1. CA shall not discriminate against persons with or perceived to have HIV infection. This policy includes discrimination against employees, clients, licensees, contractors, or volunteers. Procedures for persons who believe they have been subjected to discrimination are found in DCYF Administrative 11.13 Preventing and Addressing Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation policy.
    2. Licensees are not required by law to share their HIV status with licensers. If this information is shared by the licensee or prospective licensee, licensers may request additional health information, as is the case with disclosure of any serious illness of a licensee. Decisions regarding continued licensing of an HIV infected person are made in the same manner as any serious illness.
  2. Regional HIV/BBP Coordinator
    1. Each Regional Administrator must designate an HIV/BBP Coordinator to oversee issues related to HIV, HBV, and other BBPs.
    2. The social worker refers all HIV/HBV affected cases and issues related to BBP to the regional HIV/BBP Coordinator for consultation and staffing as appropriate.
    3. The Coordinator:
      1. Provides information and consultation on CA policy.
      2. Provides consultation for case management.
      3. Serves as liaison with the health care community and AIDS service organizations.
      4. Convenes the HIV/BBP Advisory Team.
  3. Regional HIV/BBP Advisory Team
    1. Each Regional Coordinator must develop an HIV/BBP Advisory Team to advise on issues related to HIV, HBV, and other BBP.
    2. The Regional HBV/BBP Advisory Team:
      1. Assists, as necessary, with development of regional guidelines on issues related to HIV/BBP.
      2. Provides case consultation, as needed.
  4. Universal Precautions-All staff, out-of-home care providers, volunteers, licensees, and respite care providers must use universal precautions when dealing with children in care and treat all blood and body fluids containing blood as if known to be infectious. See section 5710, Blood Borne Pathogens Protection Plan.
  5. HIV Testing
    1. HIV testing of a child is a medical procedure and, therefore, must be done only in consultation with the Regional HIV/BBP Coordinator and on the recommendation of the local health department or a licensed health care provider knowledgeable about HIV infection.
      1. When HIV testing of a child under the age of 14 is being requested as a result of potential perinatal exposure, the social worker or HIV/BBP Coordinator shall inform the child's mother of the request and ask the mother to provide the results of her past HIV tests or to be tested in order to possibly eliminate the need for testing of the child. This testing is voluntary and will be confidential, consistent with this section.
      2. When parental rights have been terminated, the social worker of a child under the age of 14 may authorize HIV testing.
      3. The social worker shall obtain a court order for testing if the parent or legal guardian is unavailable or unwilling to provide consent for testing of a child under the age of 14 and if a medical reason for testing exists.
      4. If a child under 14 years of age tests positive for any STD, including HIV, the HIV/BBP Coordinator shall ensure that the medical professional or the local health department notifies the parent or legal guardian of the test results.
    2. HIV/STD testing of a youth age 14 or over requires the written consent of the youth or a court order. The youth may request testing on his/her own authority.
      1. The written consent or court order shall authorize test results for HIV or HBV to be released to the social worker and out-of-home care provider.
      2. When obtaining a court order or a consent for HIV testing, the social worker shall, if needed, also gain authority to share the results with others who have a compelling "need to know" and are not otherwise authorized to know under chapter 70.24 RCW. All such individuals shall be identified in the consent or court order. The consent or court order shall authorize treatment, as necessary.
  6. Confidentiality/Disclosure
    1. Infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is a personal and private matter. Staff, care providers, and volunteers shall treat information related to these issues in a confidential and respectful manner and shall not disclose this information except in accordance with state law and as provided in this section and paragraphs G and H, below
    2. Disclosure Practices and Criteria
      1. The social worker shall ensure that the child's current health care provider is aware of the child's exposure to HIV/HBV.
      2. Social workers shall not disclose information related to a parent or child's HIV or other STD status to other CA employees, except their immediate supervisor, manager, and HIV/BBP Coordinator.
      3. When the social worker or HIV/BBP coordinator provides written disclosure of HIV/BBP status information to someone outside of CA, the social worker or HIV/BBP Coordinator shall include the following statement on the Disclosure of Confidential HIV Information, DSHS 09-837:

        This information has been disclosed to you from records whose confidentiality is protected by state law. State law prohibits you from making any further disclosure of it without the specific written consent of the person to whom it pertains or as otherwise permitted by state law. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is not sufficient for this purpose.

      4. When the social worker or HIV/BBP coordinator provides HIV/BBP information regarding a parent or child is disclosed orally to someone outside of CA, the social worker shall send the Disclosure of Confidential HIV Information, DSHS 09-837, to the person(s) receiving the information within 10 days of the disclosure.
      5. Documentation that a parent or child has been tested for HIV or other BBP shall be recorded and stored electronically in FamLink.

        Document HIV/BBP status in the "Medical Problems" pop-up. Copies of medical records regarding the testing results or HIV/BBP related information will be scanned and stored in the FamLink "Filing Cabinet". Access to this information is secured and limited to the assigned social worker and their supervisor.

        Copies of documents and medical records regarding HIV/BBP status or related information may also be kept in a "privileged/confidential information" envelope used to safeguard sensitive case information. Access to this envelope is strictly limited to those authorized by law, with consent or as noted on a court order. Access to other parts of the child's record does not assume the right to access HIV/BBP information.

      6. Social workers shall not disclose HIV/BBP information in written reports to the court without consultation with the assigned legal counsel.
      7. When HIV/BBP information is discussed in court, the social worker, through legal counsel, shall make special arrangements with the court to protect the confidentiality of the parties.
  7. Placement
    1. DCFS staff shall inform the residential care provider of the child's HIV/HBV status, if known. The social worker shall not inform the residential care provider of the HIV/HBV status of a child age 14 or older without the child's permission or a court order. However, the social worker shall inform the child that no placement will be made without disclosure of such status to the prospective residential care provider.
    2. HIV exposed/infected children may be placed with other children unless otherwise advised by the health care provider. However, DCFS staff shall not place known HBV infected children or perinatally exposed infants in households with other unvaccinated persons.
    3. The social worker shall strongly consider a child's and/or parent's wish not to disclose a child's positive HIV/HBV status to relatives when investigating a potential relative placement. However, if the child is actually placed, the social worker must disclose the child's HIV/HBV status. This revelation could negatively impact family relationships.
    4. The social worker shall arrange for provision of medical attention for the HIV/STD infected/exposed child by a physician knowledgeable in this specialty area.
    5. When placing a child known to be HIV/HBV exposed or infected, the social worker, in addition to providing the residential care provider with information regarding the child's current health status and names of all health care providers, shall inform the residential care provider of all resources involved and provide instruction in any special care needs of the child prior to placement.
      If exposure of infection is discovered after placement, the social worker shall immediately provide the above information to the residential care provider and ensure the provision of instruction in any special care needs.
    6. When HBV infection is discovered in an individual living or working in a foster/receiving/group home, the social worker shall immediately notify the Regional HIV/BBP Coordinator and the local health department. Public health department recommendations for testing and immunization of household contacts shall be followed. DCFS staff shall place no additional unimmunized children in the home while the possibility of exposure exists.
  8. Adoption
    1. The adoption worker or HIV/BBP Coordinator shall provide prospective adoptive parents with all available information on the STD/HIV/HBV status of children under 14 years of age.
    2. For children age 14 or above, the social worker shall not disclose status without the child's permission but shall not place the child without such disclosure.
    3. Staff shall share the STD/HIV/HBV status, if known, of the parents, if the possibility of infection of the child by that parent exists. In such cases, the identity of the parents may not be disclosed.
    4. CA staff shall identify children with HIV infection in adoption exchange books and/or media as having "serious medical problems." HIV exposure of uninfected children does not need to be noted in exchange books. Only when a serious inquiry is received and the social worker has determined that the family is a potential candidate should the child's specific medical history be discussed. The social worker shall not disclose the child's name until the family is selected as the adoptive family.
    5. The social worker shall provide prospective adoptive parent(s) with the Family Genetic and Medical History DCYF 13-041 form. The social worker shall include on the document all available medical information related to the child and biological parent, including HIV/STD information if possibility of exposure exists. The identity of the parent is not disclosed on this form.
    6. When HIV testing is recommended, the social worker shall consult with the HIV/BBP Coordinator and arrange for completion of the test prior to finalization of the adoption.
    7. The social worker shall inform the prospective adoptive parent that HIV I infection may qualify a child for adoption support.
  9. Training
    1. CA shall arrange for all employees to receive HIV/BBP training which covers prevention, transmission, infection control, treatment, testing, confidentiality CA-related policy and procedure, as it relates to adults and children.
    2. All individuals and agencies licensed by CA shall receive HIV/BBP training which covers prevention, transmission, infection control, treatment, testing, confidentiality and CA-related policy and procedure, as it relates to adults and children.